Living Up to You

Chapter 31

As the sun rises, the moon falls, the stars alternated and the lotuses bloomed and withered; another two years has passed.

The immortal realm has been peaceful these past two years. The biggest upcoming event was Cangjia’s supremo Cang Yu’s three thousandth birthday. Cang Yu had always been someone low-key. If it was not something important, he rarely made an appearance in the immortal realm. Even the last Four Immortals’ Association, he sent his disciples in his place. It was rumored in the immortal realm that his cultivation was greatly damaged because he wanted to save his great disciple Feng Shu. He had secluded himself and cultivated for several years. This birthday mustered large forces and many invitations were sent, causing one to wonder if he had other intentions.

After receiving the invitations, every sect tidied the affairs of their sect and went happily.

It was a rare occurrence for Cangjia Mountain to be bustling. The disciples of each peak had been busy for a whole month. They especially cleaned up Qing Lian’s Shuimai Peak to be the location to celebrate the birthday. Qing Lian and Qing Nian were busy with their disciples. Qing Kui hid far away at Tianmai Peak. He would practice sword with Ling Xi, have dinner with Ling Xi and tease Ling Xi. He spent his days very relaxed.

This afternoon, the autumn breeze was cool and the fall was colorful.

At this time, either Qing Kui was practicing four hours of sword with Ling Xi or fighting four hours with Ling Xi. Day after day, he saw that Ling Xi’s swordsmanship was getting better and better and her spiritual power was also rising rapidly.

“Look out!” Qing Kui held Xiangyin and smiled. He looked at the empty space on Ling Xi’s shoulder and stabbed there.

Ling Xi backed and retreated with the wind to the sea of lotuses. She threaded the flower branch lightly and used her strength to evade the sword. Qing Kui stabbed into emptiness, laughed and turned around, but when he saw the face of the person opposite of him, his laughter unconsciously stopped.

Today, Ling Xi wore a lilac gauze dress. Her hair was put randomly into a bun. In her hand was the Bingling sword that Cang Yu gave her. The moment he turned around, wind blew up. The sky was covered with the petals of lotuses. Ling Xi’s black hair floated with her lilac dress. Bingling sword seemed to have gathered the spirits aura of the heaven and earth. She seemed like an elf that walked out of a flower, making Qing Kui froze on spot and looked at how her sword aimed at him, but he didn’t dodge nor block.

Bingling sword was about to pierce a big hole into Qing Kui’s neck, but he still watched Ling Xi without moving. Ling Xi slanted her sword, frowned and said, “Senior brother Qing Kui, you are distracted again.”

“Hehe…,” Juisheng laughed on Qing Kui’s waist.

Qing Kui immediately regained his senses and quickly took hold of Ling Xi who was about to leave, “Eh, eh, eh, Ling little Xi, I didn’t lose!”

Ling Xi put down the sword, “Juisheng can be the witness. If it wasn’t because I slanted the sword just now, you would’ve lost your neck on my sword.”

“That is right, that is right, lecherous…,” Juisheng hasn’t finished yet. His gourd mouth was covered by Qing Kui again.

“Wrong, wrong.” Qing Kui shook his head proudly and took out what was in his hand. “I have won before that.”

Ling Xi looked at the thing in his hand and looked left and right at her long hair. Sure enough, there was a cut.

Qing Kui unconsciously wrapped the black hair in his hand and put it in his sleeve. He smiled and said, “Although, your brain had gotten a lot more intelligent these past two years and your spiritual power also rose rapidly, but as your senior brother, I have cultivated a thousand years more than you. Can I still be defeated by you?”

“Then, my dear senior brother Qing Kui who had cultivated a thousand years more than me, can you tell me why to this day, I still can’t cultivate an immortal body?” Ling Xi laughed softly. The eyes that fell on Qing Kui were very clear.

Qing Kui coughed twice. He said, “This…senior brother naturally has my own thought on this, but it needs to be verified.”

Well, actually…he had to admit, he also didn’t know!

Two years ago, Ling Xi’s spiritual power that seemed to have been stored for many years suddenly surged. These past two years, she practiced day and night and worked very hard. Under normal circumstance, with only her inexplicable spiritual power, she should’ve been able to cultivate an immortal body. Unfortunately…

“Haha, you should ask master about this matter! It happened that he wants to see you today!” Qing Kui pulled Ling Xi on a cloud. He secretly muttered in his heart. He also didn’t know why he didn’t want to tell Ling Xi that he also didn’t know. Even a thick-skinned person like him would have a time that he would be afraid to lose face…

—

Cang Yu rarely met with outsider ever since he came back from Donghua Mountain two years ago. The one he saw the most among the disciples was Ling Xi. Qing Kui and the others only thought that after the battle with high-tiered deity Donghua, he had been seriously injured and cultivated till this day. However, Cang Hai and Cang Qu saw that something was wrong with just one glance.

Originally, he had covered the fact that he had passed a thousand year of cultivation to Ling Xi. Others wouldn’t easily discover that. However, after the battle with high-tiered deity Donghua, Cang Yu didn’t even have time to take care of himself. Hence, he also didn’t have much energy left to bother with what his junior brothers thought.

When Ling Xi went to see Cang Yu, Cang Hai happened to come out of Cang Yu’s room. He glared once fiercely at her.

“Master,” When Ling Xi saw Cang Yu, she knelt and paid her respect.

Cang Yu lay on the couch. His face looked haggard, but his eyes were clear. He let Ling Xi get up.

“How is your cultivation recently?” Cang Yu asked.

Ling Xi frowned and said, “Master, Ling Xi had tried my best and also noticed the surging power in my body, but I’m unable to use it. Senior brother Qing Kui also said that with my cultivation, I should’ve cultivated an immortal body long ago, but…”

Ling Xi was stumped for words. She had failed to meet master’s efforts.

Cang Yu coughed twice and slowly said, “Perhaps it is because the cultivation I gave you hasn’t integrated with your own cultivation yet. No need to hurry.”

Hearing him say that, Ling Xi felt even more ashamed. Although, master didn’t say how many years of cultivation he gave her, but it must be many. Otherwise, she wouldn’t make such rapid progress these past two years.

“Moreover, someone had put a seal on your body.” Cang Yu faintly swept over Ling Xi and said, “Originally, you are still young. This master didn’t want to say too much to you, but master is already old…”

Ling Xi was still puzzled when Cang Yu mentioned that someone put a seal on her body. When she heard his last sentence, her heart trembled. She quickly knelt, “Master is an immortal, how could you get old? If it was because Ling Xi that master’s life became threatening, Ling Xi would rather master take back the cultivation you gave me.”

Cang Yu sighed and helped Ling Xi get up. “Ling Xi, remember clearly what master will say to you today.”

“Eight years ago when Feng Shu brought you up the mountain, you only had two immortal parts and three mortal parts.” Cang Yu stared fixedly at Ling Xi and said in a deep voice, “I heard that you have a big brother in the mortal realm. I don’t know who he is, but he must be a very able person and his spiritual power is no less than this master’s. That you were able to grow till ten years smoothly must be because he used spiritual power to raise you. After Feng Shu brought you to the mountain, he used his cultivation to supplement your soul. Although, you gave some to your immortal spirit, it was barely enough to patch up your three immortal parts and seven mortal parts. The pill that I had Xue Ran gave you two years ago before you went to Donghua Mountain also contained a thousand years of cultivation from me and helped harmonize your three immortal parts.”

Ling Xi’s heart sank with every word Cang Yu spoke. Her nose became itchy.

“Your destiny and Feng Shu’s are similar. Both of you only have one lifetime. The previous life couldn’t be seen and the future life couldn’t be pried into.” Cang Yu continued, “You seem to grow slowly like ordinary people, but there are traces of a seal in your body. It could be seen that you are not as simple as being the Ling Xi of these eighteen years.”

Ling Xi recalled that when she called her name by the River of Forgetfulness in the netherworld, no memories of her past life floated up. It turned out that it wasn’t because she didn’t have the memories, but it was because she has no past life.

“You have the ability to let ten thousand snow lotuses bloom. Ling Xi…” Cang Yu pondered for a while before he continued, “I always felt guilty about Feng Shu. I didn’t make it up to him yet when I killed him personally. Because of this, I took my anger out on you and suspected that you are a demon. Even to this day, I still don’t know what secrets are hidden in you.”

It was the first time that Ling Xi heard that her soul was incomplete and it was also the first time she heard that one could only have one lifetime. Furthermore, it was the first time that she got to know that her life was made from the cultivation of so many people. For a time, her mind was in a chaos and she looked bewildered at Cang Yu.

“I once told everyone to not tell you because I didn’t want you to feel that you are different and take the wrong step in life.”

Ling Xi knelt again, “Master, Ling Xi doesn’t know why you didn’t tell me this until today. Eldest senior brother…master…treated Ling Xi so kindly…no matter what kind of secrets are on Ling Xi, Ling Xi is Ling Xi, Cangjia’s supremo’s disciple. If one day…if one day, I turned into a demon, I would also not dare to be disrespectful to master and wouldn’t dare to do anything that would damage Cangjia.”

Cang Yu said with relief, “This master knows that you have a simple mind and a kind heart. I called you here today not to get your promise.”

“Ling Xi will use Ling Xi’s utmost effort to do what master wants.”

“Ling Xi, did you feel that the immortal world is in the state of weakness and a noxious influence is in the way?”

Ling Xi was silent. The faces of many immortals at the Four Immortals’ Association appeared in vividly in front of her eyes. Even high-tiered deity Donghua who everyone saw as the leader harbored evil intention and almost descended to the devilish ways.

“Once upon a time, many prestigious immortals suffered a calamity and entered the circle of reincarnation or lived in seclusion and didn’t pay attention anymore to the affairs of life. Many spells were gradually lost. I’m only four to five thousand years old and am already considered to be an elder in the immortal realm…How many immortals of nowadays had seen the prosperous age of the immortal realm? And how many knows how the true immortal realm looked like?” The ups and down faintly spread out through Cang Yu’s wrinkles. “Immortal god, immortal god. The god realm and the immortal realm were originally one. A great number of gods led the six realms. They were in charge of the cause and effect of karma and the circle of life and death and kept the balance in the six realms. However, ten thousand years ago, the god realm was in chaos. The entrance to the god realm disappeared. The god clan disappeared overnight. Since then, the balance of the six realms had been broken.”

Ling Xi listened quietly. “God” was too far away from her.

“The lifelong wish of this master is to find the entrance to the god realm, awaken the gods and let the six realms return to the right way. Otherwise, if another ten thousand years passed by, the immortal realm would presumably be devoured by the demon and devil realm and there would be no survival place for the mortal realm. These six realms…would also be gone.” Cang Yu’s eyes that had always been clear were soaked with red as if he had already seen the scene where the devil is enshrined.

Ling Xi felt grief, but she could only ask in a soft voice, “Master, what can Ling Xi do?”

Cang Yu said in a deep voice, “I have calculated two years ago that the tribulation of Cangjia is around the corner. Although, it had been deadly calm these past two years, but I am very worried and felt that it was the calm before the storm. Ling Xi, I told you about these today; firstly, was to let you remember Cangjia Mountain’s grace. Secondly is for you to remember, when the tribulation comes, perhaps it is also an opportunity. Cangjia’s mission is to find the entrance of the god realm at any cost and open the door to heaven. By then, if I’m no longer here…you must not forget what I have told you today.”

Ling Xi was silent again. Although, master said that she was different, she knew clearly how she grew up, how she slowly gained consciousness of an ordinary person and how she practiced for today’s cultivation. Such a heavy task, such great expectation, she truly…was unable to bear such great responsibility.

“Child, you are still young.” Cang Yu also seemed to feel that he was too serious just now. He helped Ling Xi up once again and sighed, “You only need to remember what this master said today. At a critical moment, don’t lost your mind and lost the right way.”

Ling Xi nodded.

—

On the day of Cang Yu’s birthday, Cangjia Mountain was extremely lively. Although, immortals no longer had the need to eat common mortals’ food, Shuimai Peak still put a thousand tables.

Ling Xi didn’t want to cause trouble. Hence, she didn’t want to go down Tianmai Peak. However, Qing Kui keep pestering her, “Ling little Xi, have some back-bone! What is there to be afraid of? They looked down on you in the past and scolded you for being a demon. Today, go down and let them see! Whoever dares to make you unhappy again, you can take care of him!”

Ling Xi was still reluctant. She didn’t want to be surrounded by a group of people again to figure out why she could let the snow lotuses turn into ashes, why master accepted her as disciple and wherever she came from as a demon…

“That group of people had long glared at Cangjia like a tiger and watched Cangjia like a prey. Don’t know what got into master’s head this time to let them come over openly. Ling little Xi, do you want to see so many people clean up Cangjia and you will just sit back and ignore it?” She didn’t know from when it started, but Qing Kui rarely called her “Ah Chou” anymore. Instead, he added the word “little” between her name.

- Glare like a tiger and watched like a prey: covet

When Qing Kui said this, Ling Xi thought about what Cang Yu told her a few days ago, nodded and agreed.

Qing Kui rode Juisheng in the front. Ling Xi reared a sword behind him. Originally it was not far away, but because of the bickering of Qing Kui and Juisheng and Ling Xi was also not in a hurry, it took an hour to get there.

As soon as they reached Shuimai Peak, they heard the sound of water rattling and the waterfall was like auspicious clouds falling from the sky and divided Shuimai Peak into two halves vertically.

Shuimai Peak was indeed much livelier than Tianmai Peak.

Just as Ling Xi thought of this, a kingfisher flew to her and circled above her head a few times. The kingfishers on Cangjia Mountain had always had spiritual energy. Ling Xi thought that the bird was cute, reached out to let it land on her palm. That bird was obedient and landed steadily, but before it fell on her palm, it turned into an exquisite wooden box. The box was sealed with a big red paper. On the paper was written “Wishing master to have happiness and longevity”.

Ling Xi couldn’t help but wonder who gave her the birthday gift. Could it be that the bird recognized the wrong person? Qing Kui was right in front of her and Qing Lian and Qing Nian didn’t seem that they would make such a mistake. She hasn’t figured it out yet, when the two already landed. Qing Kui pulled her and saw the wooden box in her hand. He smiled, “Haha, sure enough woman are more meticulous. You even know to bring a gift for master.”

“This is not…” Ling Xi wanted to ask Qing Kui what was going on when she discovered that everyone at Shuimai Peak was looking at them.

Cang Yu had also gotten up and walked towards her.

She found Qing Lian and Qing Nian among the crowd. The two them were also looked at them (LX&QK). There was nothing unusual in their expressions. Then, this birthday gift…?

“Ling Xi, this is?” Cang Yu’s complexion looked good today. He looked at the wooden box in her hand.

Ling Xi told the truth, “I don’t know who sent it to me. Perhaps, that person wanted to wish master happy birthday.”

However…master’s disciples were obviously here.

“Let this master have a look.” Cang Yu reached out and wanted to take over the wooden box.

Ling Xi backed away subconsciously and avoided his hand.

“Master, let me do it,” Ling Xi said.

This wooden box came to her strangely. The words written on it were also strange. She didn’t know what was hidden inside the box. It was better if she opened it.

Ling Xi carefully removed the red paper that sealed the box and opened it.

No spell was casted on the wooden box and no harmful ghost jumped out, but Ling Xi’s hands shook suddenly. She threw the box on the ground without hesitation.

Everyone was surprised.

What fell from that box was a bloody skin of someone’s face!